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Erika Ward of Blu Label Bungalow graciously gave me this Honest Scrap Award. This is my very first blog award - yaaay me! LOL!!! Thanks Erika!
Now I have the honor of passing the award along to the next fitting bloggers.
The Skinny:
10 Honest Things:
♥ watching the news (especially local) generally depresses me, so I avoid it. This is good and bad. Good in that I don't have to face the ugliness of the world when I'm not in the mood. Bad because I'm sometimes out of the loop in terms of what's going on in the world around me - and that's embarrassing.
♥ I haven't combed my hair in about a month. I wear it in a bun each day.
♥ I wish I had more time in the day to get to know the folks who comment on my page/support my blog - I mean, beyond a superficial level.
♥ I'm having second thoughts about wanting a baby girl. I might just be content with a second boy... Funny, in the past it's all I thought I ever wanted. Now I don't know if there really is room enough in the household for two princesses.
♥ I don't know why I make commitments to write for other sites when I can barely keep up with my own. I guess I enjoy the networking and exposure aspect of it - but the reality is that I probably should keep my original content for my own blog, since my cup doesn't exactly runneth over with great posts these days.
♥ Chase is the best thing that's ever happened to me.
♥ l wish all my old Xanga buddies still blogged - I miss those days a lot. We were such a close-knit, private blogging community.
♥ I feel a little sorry for folks obsessed with SEO. It seems that must take some of the pleasure and freedom away from blogging.
♥ I'd love to have D.J. Lance Rock's job from "Yo Gabba Gabba." I think I'd be a natural.
♥ When I was pregnant with Chase I was scared that he wasn't going to be cute, based on his 3d ultrasound pics. But I could only admit this to a few folks: my best friend, my sister, Derek. When you're honest about that type of thing with most people you run the risk of being called superficial, ungrateful, selfish, etc etc.
5 Bloggers:
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Hi folks, I'm taking part in the Dove Real Beauty Campaign, which is an initiative designed to help girls recognize and appreciate their unique beauty, rather than embracing society's standard of beauty. I would LOVE it if you'd check out my blog post about how you can help out.
In a nutshell, I'm asking those of you with daughters/nieces/cousins/whomever to (1) take a few minutes to interview that special little girl in your life and create a brief, 30 second video asking her what she feels makes her beautiful. (2) We'll submit it to the Dove campaign and then (3) you would leave a comment on my blog post telling me that you made this video. With each video submission to Dove we're raising money that will go toward self-esteem programs/workshops. Just that simple!
Please join me in this wonderful initiative to teach girls how to deal with the media hype about body image as well as the importance of loving the skin they’re in!
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image source: Getty Images
Lately I've been feeling that my once "mommy blog" has become consumed with product reviews and contests. Though I've made no secret of the fact that I welcome and enjoy PR, I fear I may have somewhere along the road lost sight of the original reason I started this blog in the first place - to give long distance family/friends an opportunity to be part of Chase's ever-evolving life each day, and to also document this very special time in my life (a cyber "baby book," if you will). But these days it seems I spend more time engaging in PR business than sharing personal experiences/reflections. And while reviews are fun to do and giveaways my way of "thanking" those of you who have been loyal/supportive of the blog... I wonder if it isn't unfair to those readers (namely family) who come to my blog, eagerly expecting to read a funny/silly/cute Chase/mommy anecdote, but instead see yet another contest.
Now in the same token I think product reviews are extremely invaluable tools. It's no secret that women have tremendous buying power. But more specifically, I learned at Blogalicious that women of color actually control 85% of all purchase decisions made today! So naturally companies are coming to us mom bloggers for review and assessment of their products. Word of mouth is a powerful animal and we sure use it - in our church groups, our PTA meetings, our message boards, our book clubs and sister-friend luncheons... I think the reviews I do are important and I want to continue providing a young, African-American mom perspective to those companies/campaigns that value feedback.
However, what I don't want to do is mix "business with pleasure" any longer. I want to find a way to continue enjoying both worlds - blogging about Chase and the prissy mommy life, and also sampling and reviewing new, cutting edge products that could impact me and my household.
So with that said, Ive decided to create a "sister blog" of sorts. It will strictly be for PR. I'll of course announce contests on this site (and tweet about them), but those posts will now be reserved for The Prissy Mommy Reviews & Giveaways. I hope you all support me in this new endeavor!
Muchas Smoochas!
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The last couple months we've been struggling with the decision of whether or not to give Chase the H1N1 vaccine. Derek and I have discussed the topic ad nauseum but as yet haven't come to any resolution. The good news is that we're both on the same page... the not so good news is that page includes us wavering in our feelings about it. Chase has actually had the first in a series of two (regular) flu shots already. This came at the recommendation of his pediatrician, whom I trust whole-heartedly. He goes back for the second next Saturday, in fact. We chose to give him the flu shot because he is in daycare where he is exposed to many other kids and caretakers (read: germs!!!) throughout the day. I'm comfortable with this decision and in fact never had any concerns about it.
Now this swine flu business... it scares the bejesus out of us (maybe me more so than Derek). There have been multiple reported cases of swine flu in the New York area and there are posted signs throughout his daycare, as well as at my job, listing symptoms that require you to stay home. It's a continual reminder that the swine flu is here and to be vigilant. And suddenly they've got this vaccine that they're recommending for folks, and in particular women who are expecting, babies, children, the elderly - basically those with compromised immune systems. Now while I'm a pro-vaccine mommy I am nervous because I think it came out way too fast and, as far as I'm concerned, we don't know it's long term effects ( a la thalidomide of 1957-1961). It's only been out since the summer and I don't trust it. My understanding is that it contains mercury and is similar to a vaccine introduced in the 70's that treated a similar condition but caused folks to get Guillerre-Barre syndrome. So I am reluctant to subject Chase to this until it has been studied more. I just don't like it.
We obviously plan on taking normal sickness precautions, which we use every day anyway. But I'm truly afraid that may not be enough. Each time Chase gets sick (well it's only been twice since he was born - diarrhea each time) I get a really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I start to get paranoid, wondering if it couldn't be something more serious than just a little stomach virus or teething. And it's during those times that I say to myself (and Derek), "I definitely think we should get him vaccinated." I wonder if a decision not to get him vaccinated is a selfish one - after all, aside from internet/message board research (and just how credible is that, really?) and brief chats with the pediatrician (who remains ambivalent), neither of us have taken the time to deeply investigate what the vaccine is about. I think we're both pretty much going on a gut feeling, or a hunch that something doesn't "feel right" about it. But really, where is the science in that? We owe our son more than that. Decisions like this one are so hard... and I just don't feel prepared to make such an important one right now. However, I realize that being a parent doesn't work like that - you can't always make a decision when you're "ready." Sometimes you have to be ready today.
Funny, I always knew that parenting would involve tough decisions about how to raise, teach, care for, and nurture our kids. I just didn't think I'd have to make such a tough one until Chase was older. And even then I thought it would be things like:
And as he gets older:
I guess I never bargained for a "swine flu" and having to quickly make a (potentially) life or death decision for our 10 month old infant. It's scary and it's very much here and in our face. I've always been the type to consult with trusted others, for support, guidance, or direction, when I'm uncertain. But I know this is a personal decision, and one that only me and Derek can make, along with our pediatrician.
In other (lighter) news.... just as I suspected, Daylight's Savings Time has meant nothing to Chase. He's been up bright and early each morning at 5:00 am, which to him is actually 6:00 am. He still co-sleeps next to me so on Monday he started out by tossing and turning in his little bed and chattering quietly to himself. I think he realized it was still "night-night" and, to his credit, was trying hard to reign himself in. He wasn't able to contain his exuberance long, and soon he sat up and kneeled next to me. He started patting my face mischievously, biting my nose, and giggling. I mumbled that it was still "night-night," but when Derek got up to use the bathroom he grinned triumphantly. This was evidence to him that it really was time to get up. He stood up in his bed decisively and I went ahead and picked him up and laid him in between us, where he crawled around and stood up and flung himself down and writhed around in the sheets and played hide and seek with both of us until my alarm went off at 6:00 am. Good times. I truly love it. lol. This has actually gotten me to work early/on time every day this week, which is a stupendous thing! No more snoozing til 6:30 am.
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Hi folks!
Please pardon my tardiness in announcing the winners of the Nailene French Manicure Kits. I fully intended to post this on Monday and time escaped me. Mark it to my head and not my heart. :-)
Without further ado, the winners are:
♥ Clarissa
♥ Jeccica Simpson
♥ Ashley
♥ Hijabi Apprentice
Congratulations ladies! I sure hope you enjoy your Nailene french manicure kits - I love mine! Be sure to send me your mailing addy so I can get those kits out to you!
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So Chase's very first Halloween celebration was spent in.... none other than The Village - how absolutely classic New York, right? LOL!!! Before the mayhem and chaos of the Annual Halloween Parade ensued we attended Halloween Fun Day in Greenwich Village.
We had a really nice time! Chase of course loves music and was intrigued by the assortment of instruments available to play (and eat, of course!) Oh, and might I add, we were quite popular in our Princess Tiana and Frog Prince costume - we were the only coordinating family!
Just arriving at the Halloween event
Chase cooling out after dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
Chase posing with one of his new friends!
Chase and Mommy with "Kids at Work" founder and owner Julie Averill
The only other mom of color - we met and chatted after the baby segment. She was actually bringing her daughter to the toddler segment which followed.
Chase and Daddy at his grandparent's house after the event
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A few weeks ago I was invited to join celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown and her dad, Joe Brown, to celebrate the launch of his new book at a special reading at the Scholastic Book Store. Joe Brown's book, The Flights of Marceau: Race to the Rescue tells the adventures of a character Joe Brown made up when Bobbi and her siblings were young. To celebrate the launch, Scholastic hosted a reading event for select New York City children and their moms. At the event, Bobbi would introduce Joe, who would read from Race to the Rescue, followed by a discussion with the children, challenging them to use their own imaginations to tell a story.
Following the event, the children received signed copies of The Flights of Marceau: Race to the Rescue. Meanwhile, Bobbi would be taking some time to meet with the moms and offer a private reception with her, in which she would offer recommendations for a one-minute-makeup session for busy moms on the go! Oh boy, do I need that in the mornings before work! Moreover, we would be given her "Must Have" Palette, as a special gift, as well as copies of the book for a blog giveaway.
Oh girls, I squealed with delight upon receiving this invite, as the event combined two things I am so very passionate about: children's literature and beauty wellness! The idea of merging the two worlds to create a Manhattan blogger event - brilliant! Moreover, how perfect for a gal like me who fancies herself both a mommy and (wanna-be) beauty blogger, right? But sadly, as I read on, I saw that the event would take place on a weekday afternoon. The date conflicted with an especially jam-packed work week (wrought with meetings and presentations) and I simply wasn't able to take the time off from the hospital. Sorrowfully I declined the invitation. I couldn't believe I was going to miss an in-person meeting with one of my makeup muses, Bobbi Brown, and a chance for Chase to enjoy a book reading and meet new friends. However, all was not lost! The lovely folks over at Scholastic books were kind enough to send copies over anyway so that Chase and I could enjoy it from home!
I also received Bobbi's "Must Have" Palette!
Includes seven-well lip palette with lip brush (featuring Italian Rose Creamy Lip Color, Nude Pink Lip Color, Heather Buff Creamy Lip Color, Uber Pink Creamy Lip Color, Baby Peach Metallic Creamy Lip Color, Dusk Metallic Lip Color and Kir Metallic Lip Color), two-pan eyeshadow palette (featuring Nude Beach Metallic Eye Shadow and Hot Stone Eye Shadow), full-size Espresso Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, mini black Everything Mascara and new mini dual-ended eyeshadow/ultra-fine eyeliner brush.
About the Book:
My Review:
I want to preface this by saying how much Derek and I love literature and value reading in our home. As a daughter of two educators (both my parents are college professors) my sisters and I were surrounded by books, books, and more books growing up. Our parents were reading to us as babies and, by fifth grade, I had already completed my first novel (not kidding). Similarly, Derek comes from a household of voracious readers - he describes the walls of his childhood home as lined with book shelves... and his earliest memories include the family enjoying quiet reading time together, each in his or her own nook of the house. Needless to say, books are an important aspect of our household.
So as I've noted, Race to the Rescue was an exciting, dramatic, and super fun read. One thing I did forget to mention in the video, that I especially appreciated, is the fact that a wide range of vocabulary words are used, which surely will be great for your early-reading little ones. At the bottom of each page key words are defined, encouraging further opportunity for discussion and learning. I'm looking forward to collecting all the other books in the Flights of Marceau series, and will let you know as those become available as well.
Prizing Values:
♥ The Flights of Marceau: Race to the Rescue book valued at $9.99. The book is available through The Scholastic Store Online.
♥ Bobbi Brown's "Must Have" Palette valued at $122
There will be TWO (2) winners who will each receive one (1) copy of The Flights of Marceau. ONE (1) grand prize winner will additionally receive the limited-edition Bobbi's "Must Have" Palette.
To Win a Book:
To Win the Grand Prize:
Extra Entries:
Rules:
*Note* The more entries you've submitted, the greater your chance of being selected! Good luck!!!!
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